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Friday, March 20, 2015

The Dimensions of Wellness call for a Multi-disciplinary Approach

Careers in the
Wellness Industry

Like the multidisciplinary team approach in health and
medicine, the wellness industry comprises a multitude of specialists to address
a variety of needs.

When I worked at Ford Motor Company coordinating the Total Health Program for salaried
employees, our corporate team at World Headquarters in Dearborn included
several physicians, MPH health educators, a psychologist, master’s-level social
workers, a registered dietitian, an exercise physiologist, and many labor
relations professionals. Together, we designed and launched a program for
Ford’s North American operations.

What contributions did this team of experts make at Ford?
Looking at the many dimensions of wellness, including physical, emotional,
psycho-social, and occupational, we launched a set of services to meet the needs
of any employee at any point on the wellness continuum. We presented our
programs to supervisors on the factory floor and with nurses in the
occupational medicine clinics. We reached out to community health providers and
onsite fitness facilities. Healthy people trying to stay well, individuals
needing support to manage chronic conditions, and employees referred to
counseling for personal issues affecting job performance—these real needs were
all considered part of the health promotion service spectrum.

Today, wellness is a multi -billion-dollar industry and
growing. And many health and wellness professionals are part of the mix. Are you considering a career in the
wellness industry?

Come to a SkyWell Club meeting—we plan to host
many wellness speakers to tell us more.